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Two women ordered detained in alleged sex trafficking scheme

A federal judge today ordered pre-trial detention for two women who allegedly schemed with others in an interstate prostitution ring busted last week.

Sylvia Barrera of Warner Robbins, whom federal prosecutors said transported women forced to perform prostitution, and Neruby C. Diaz, who was identified as a “pimp” in the scheme, both will remain in custody, U.S. Magistrate Judge G.R. Smith ruled during detention hearings.

They were among a dozen individuals charged in an eight-count indictment unsealed lastweek charging a sex-trafficking conspiracy to lure young women form Mexico and Central America into Savannah and other Georgia cities for interstate prostitution. Conspirators also operated in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, the indictment charged.